DIY Seal Wooden Outdoor Fencing

Seal your wooden fence to prevent weathering.

After several years of standing up to the elements, a wooden fence may not look as good as it did when first installed. The wood may be splitting and the slats bowed from too much moisture. That is a fence that wasn't sealed -- or resealed after the first coat wore off. If you don't want this to happen to your fencing, coat it with a water-resistant sealant every other year, or when you notice water is no longer beading on the surface.

1

Scrub the fence with a long-handled brush and wood cleaner to remove grime. Cleaners are available at home improvement stores. Look at the labels to ensure it removes dirt buildup and stains. If mildew is present, select a cleaner that lists mildew removal and has sodium hypochlorite as an ingredient. If you don't want to spend the money, use dish soap and water to clean the wood, and then scrub the fence with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach and 4 gallons of water to kill mildew. Rinse and let the wood dry for a full day to ensure no moisture gets trapped inside. A good time to seal a wooden fence is in the fall when the air is drier, and there is less chance of humidity.

2

Fill a garden sprayer with polyurethane wood sealer. If it is a concentrated mix, add water according to the package directions. Put the lid on the sprayer and shake to mix the water in. Oil-based sealants can also be used, but they take longer to dry.

3

Spray up and back down the front of each fence slat to ensure full coverage. Also, spray up and down the crevices between each slat.

4

Walk to the back and repeat the process, going up and down the slats. While in the back, also coat the horizontal braces that the slats are connected to and the fence posts.

5

Allow the sealant to dry before letting any pets outside so that it doesn't get on their fur.

Things You Will Need

Long-handled brush

Wood cleaner or dish soap

Bleach, if needed

Polyurethane wood sealant

Garden sprayer

Eye protection

Plastic covering

Tip

Use a sealant with sun protection to keep your fence looking as new as the day it was installed. Some like the tan color of new wood, but the sun is partially responsible for weathering the wood and turning it gray. The sun block and sealer will keep this from happening.

If landscaping is along the fence line, cover the plants with plastic sheeting to keep the cleaner and sealant from coating the leaves.

Warning

Wear eye protection while applying the sealant. You never know when a wind gust might occur and blow the chemical back toward you. Always protect your eyes. It is also a good idea to wear gloves, long sleeves, pants and a hat to protect your skin.

About the Author

Tara Shore holds a Bachelor of Science in business finance and has written for online publications since 2007. She has professional experience in banking, accounting, travel and teaching. Shore is also a master gardener and a travel agent.